As with most events which had to cancel or reschedule, the PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL hung on as long as they could before making the final decision. Unfortunately, this is another event where we’ll have to wait until next year before we get to enjoy the activities. The organisers said.

Following today’s Welsh Government press conference, we now have to accept that live music in public to sizeable crowds will not be allowed by the end of September. So sadly, the Elvis Festival 2020 is officially cancelled.

But we look forward to seeing you next year for the 2021 Comeback Special!

Let’s start with the positive news, the festival will indeed be back in 2021 between the 24th and 26th of September. You can also start booking tickets, and we can tell you that many of them sell out very quickly. So, once you’ve had a read, the links you need are at the bottom of this page.

They had already been forced to cancel all the concerts and competitions in the towns Pavilion Theatre as the venue simply hasn’t been able to reopen.

So much work had gone into preparing The Elvies, for our enjoyment. Any decision they made would be a difficult one, but always with everyone’s best interest and safety at heart.

Of course it’s not only the event which suffers, in this instance it’s the hotels and guesthouses, pubs, hotels, restaurants, cafes, holiday parks and all the venues which make up this incredible event. Holidaymakers too have had to cancel bookings which many have had in place since last year. So you can imagine the relief amongst the locals that the event will be back next September.

If you’ve never come across The Elvies before, I have to ask where have you been?

First of all, you don’t have to be a fan of Elvis Presley to appreciate and enjoy what happens in Porthcawl every year, it really is just brilliant fun and one hell of a spectacle. This isn’t just your ordinary, everyday festival, this is Elvis on a scale like you’ve never seen. This festival isn’t just ONE NIGHT, as the King himself would say, it’s a whole weekend of Elvis shenanigans.

I know what you’re thinking, it’s just a load of Elvis fans, dressing up for a couple of days. Well, DON’T BE CRUEL because this is so much more than that. We think it’s about community and friendship at the end of the day. A large group of like-minded people, with a passion for the man and his music, gathering to celebrate something very special.

So let’s tell you a little about the festival itself and perhaps convince you to head to Porthcawl next year.

Every September (sadly not this) thousands, and we really do mean thousands of Elvis fans descend on the seaside town of Porthcawl for a unique celebration of The King. It’s certainly A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION and more music, but stories are shared over the weekend and the great man fondly remembered. There are many featured events and official shows.

Most of them take place in the magnificent Grand Pavilion. These include THE ELVIES, the World’s leading award Show for Elvis Tribute Artists. The Hi Tide hosts over 100 shows over the weekend, many with free admission. Finally, over twenty venues in and around the Town form the Fringe Festival, making Porthcawl the largest Elvis event in Europe.

The following venues form the Official Fringe. They all put top ETAs (Elvis Tribute Acts) on throughout the Festival and most shows are free. Full details of shows are listed in the Official Programme which is available in advance of the Festival at the Tourist Information Centre in John Street, The Grand Pavilion and The Hi Tide. During the Festival Programmes will also be available at the Festival Desk, situated in the Grand Pavilion

• THE BAY
• THE BLUE WATER CLUB
• THE BRENTWOOD HOTEL
• THE CABIN
• THE GENERAL PICTON
• THE PORTHCAWL HOTEL
• THE ROCK INN
• THE SEAHORSE
• THE SHIP & CASTLE
• THE SWAN

We told you, this is absolutely massive.

The award are so much fun with categories ranging from…….

• Best Movie Elvis
• Best Gospel Elvis
• Best Gold Lame Elvis
• Best 68′ Special
• Best Vegas Elvis
• Best Young Elvis
• Best Newcomer
• Best GI Elvis
• Lifetime Achievement

Here’s a look at all the previous winners……

You need to know about these because, as we’re sure you can imagine, with all the costumes, wigs, belts and rhinestones we can guarantee you will never see anything like it. Cameras by the ready for this one we reckon.

The whole town comes out in support of the Elvis Weekend, and why wouldn’t they, it’s incredible for trade and the economy. More than that however, it brings a real buzz to the area and anyone who has been will tell you they count down the days to ‘next year.’ Shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, hotels and guest houses are all packed.

The Official Shows usually take place in the magnificent Grand Pavilion, one of the best preserved 1930s dancehall theatres in the country. To give you a flavour of what usually goes on, here’s a previous schedule.

The Best Festival Elvis Competitions â€“ Heats 1 and 2 along with the Grand Final.
The New Kings â€“ showcasing ETAs making their debut at the Grand Pavilion.
The Elvies â€“ recognised as the world’s leading award show for ETAs
The Elvis Gospel Show â€“ produced by award winning ETA Dean Mack
Classic Elvis â€“ featuring the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Quirk
Trilogy â€“ Sun Studio, ’68 Special and Vegas 

As you can see, the organisers have quite a year planned for us all…….

The Hi-Tide is official sponsor of The Porthcawl Elvis Festival and hosts fifty Elvis’ performing over 100 shows in four bars during the weekend. Shows in the Harbour Lights Bar and Bayroom are free admission. We know there is much disappointment at Hi-Tide at the cancellation, we are certain they’ll be raring to go again next year though.

Putting on an event of this magnitude needs the help and support of so many and the organisation are blessed to get just that.

World renowned Welsh artist and socialite, Sara Topham traditionally provides the Festival with its Image of Elvis. You can see her Elvis work for the festival, over the years right HERE.

Legendary Elvis Minstrels and House Band of the Porthcawl Elvis Festival. The greatest Rock ‘n Roll Band in Tredegar – Red Alert are well worth catching over the weekend, we only hope they find a way of performing should the event go ahead. Finally, what Elvis Festival would be complete without a bit (lot) of memorabilia? Elvis memories have the largest collection of licensed Elvis Presley Memorabilia for sale in the U.K. We have a feeling they’ll be there too next year.

Finding the festival is easy. They are based in Porthcawl, near to the Bristol Channel, about 18 miles from Lynton if you’re a good swimmer. Elvis HQ is usually the Grand Pavilion but we suspect that will be different this year. To be honest, just walking around the town over the weekend is entertainment enough, you won’t find a better atmosphere.

You Really CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE with a festival like this. The Elvies is back in 2021 between 24th and 26th September. The only think to remind you is that accommodation and venue tickets do sell out incredibly fast. This really is one full on, incredible weekend which you simply have to see at least once. We can’t wait for their return next year. To find out more and see exactly what’s happening, where and when just go here. ELVIES